In our desire to be faithful Christians we spend many hours in church.  sometimes we attend and it is mere ritual.  We go through the motions of worship and Bible study with robotic precision.  Because of its routine we never seem to grasp the reality of what is being offered.  Our need to be entertained and excited robs us of deeper thoughts and personal edification.  We lose our sense of being involved.

At times we approach church attendance in the same way we go to the movies.  At the movies we plop down with a soft drink and a bag of popcorn expecting the screen to give us some soothing moments of entertainment.  If it does not produce to our liking we are disappointed.

Church is different because we are called into a fellowship of participation.  For it to have meaning we must share in what is happening.  If we are disappointed, it is partly our fault because we have been given a role in the drama of church life.  Whatever is lacking may be our own contribution.  The truth is, "the more we give the more we receive."  Of course, others must share equally if we are to have a vital church experience.

There is nothing boring or routine about what God has done for us in Christ.  If there is monotony in church, it is a human factor.  It stems from either disinterest or false expectations.  To lose ourselves in the goals and ambitions of God makes church the most exciting aspect of our lives, however poorly it may perform at times.

There are occasions when our need to blame God for life's difficulties causes us to be bitter toward church and church people.  Our anger toward God is translated into cries of "boring sermons," "poorly taught Bible lessons," "It is not like it used to be," and "no one has reached out to me."  All the above may be true, but first we must determine how much we have contributed to it.

We must not give up on God because we experience a drought of spiritual zest.  It too will pass away, and if we are faithful there will come a time when salvations's joy will return.  Songs will sound as if we wrote them.  Sermons will be like letters mailed to our spiritual address.  Bible study will be autographed by God with our name in bold print.  Old things will have passed away and all things will become new.  Monotony will give rise to spontaniety.  Joy will replace depression and God will be alive in our lives.  This does not mean the valley will never return; but when it does, we can anticipate another journey to the mountain.